This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
On November 4, 2019, Sports Principal Secretary Kirimi Kaberia encouraged corporates to partner with football clubs through sports sponsorships, citing tax incentives provided by the Finance Act 2016.
According to Kaberia, the government has introduced tax-deductible funding for sports, including football, to attract corporate sponsorships.
However, SportPesa Chief Executive Ronald Karauri expressed concerns that the government's support for football is biased towards Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mahia, leaving other clubs struggling to make ends meet.
"I hope the news of Harambee Starlets breaking camp due to lack of funding was fake," Karauri said. "What they should do is make a conducive environment for corporates to support sport and thus build from the grassroots."
Following SportPesa's termination of football sponsorships and closure of operations, the betting firm's departure left a Sh200 million hole in football's annual budget, leading to teams failing to honour league matches.
